Don't tell Wall Street that President Bush's Iraq policy has failed. There are many statistics that point to the contrary.
In January of 2003, one share of stock in Lockheed Martin fethced a price of roughly $49. At the end of April 2007, that same share was valued at approximately $98. In January of 2003, one share of stock in General Dynamics was worth about $63. In May of 2007, that same share was worth roughly $77. However, the stock was split in 2006, so the real value of one share from 2003 is actually closer to $154 today. Northrop Grumman has enjoyed similar success. In January of 2003, a share of Northrop Grumman would put an investor out to the tune of $88. By the end of May, 2007, the stock had also split, and an investment of $88 in 2003 was now worth roughly $145. Boeing has also seen its stock value double since January of 2003.
This rate of growth far outpaced the growth of the S&P 500 during the same period. These statistics are easily verified using any stock tracking software or website.
One would think that the defense industry would take this opportunity to set aside some of the profit gained from this boondoggle to assist the people whose lives have been destroyed by the weapons these organizations manufacture. However, the defense industry has consistently proven that they are far more interested in using their resources to corrupt the American political process for the purpose of perpetuating the war in Iraq.
According to opensecrets.org, the defense industry "donated" over $9.7 million to political candidates during the 1998 midterm elections. In 2002, during the runup to the invasion of Iraq, these "donations" surged and exceeded $15 million. In the 2006 midterms, the defense industry "donated" over $16.4 million to political candidates. It is worthwhile to note that 62% of these "donations" in 2006 were "given" to Republican candidates.
The Republicans weren't the only ones to benefit from these "gifts" from the defense industry, however. Amongst all candidates for the Senate in 2006, Joe Lieberman raised the most money from the defense industry. He managed to line his pockets with more than $170,000 of defense industry money, even though he was running as an independent. Fourth on that list of top defense industry earners was Senator Clinton. No surprise there, I suppose.
This is precisely why I refuse to donate money to political candidates, and why I am unlikely to vote in the upcoming election. What possible good does my $50 donation do when one industry, bent on manipulating public opinion for the purpose of prolonging a senseless war, can saturate the electoral process with $16 million? What the hell does my one vote, my one voice, matter when opposed by such a powerful confluence of narrow interests?
This Republic is broken, and the people at Boeing, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems realize it. When will the American people?